The Treatment of a Novel Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR)-GRB2 Genetic Mutation Using Osimertinib in

Siddharth Ramanathan1, Nathan Shen2, Larry Kestin3

  • 1College of Medicine, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester Hills, USA.

Cureus
|May 26, 2023
PubMed

Insights

A novel epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) fusion with GRB2 was identified in a patient with advanced lung cancer. Targeted therapy with osimertinib led to significant clinical improvement, highlighting the importance of investigating rare mutations.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Genomics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations are common in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
  • Genomic and transcriptomic sequencing are crucial for identifying non-traditional mutations in NSCLC.
  • The discovery of novel driver mutations is an ongoing area of cancer genomics research.

Observation:

  • A unique EGFR-GRB2 fusion transcript was identified in a 48-year-old female never-smoker with stage IV lung adenocarcinoma.
  • The patient had metastatic disease to the iliac wing and liver and progressed despite systemic treatment.

Findings:

  • Whole transcriptome sequencing revealed a novel EGFR-GRB2 RNA fusion.
  • Treatment with osimertinib resulted in remarkable clinical and radiological improvements for the patient.

Implications:

  • Investigating novel driver mutations is essential, particularly in patients with metastatic lung cancer.
  • Patients with similar rare mutations may benefit from targeted therapies like third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
  • This case underscores the potential of precision medicine in treating NSCLC with uncommon genomic alterations.

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